Is Motuo, recommended by Hu Ge, really worth visiting?

Here's a travel guide to Motuo, covering key information on transportation, seasons, attractions, and important tips to help you plan a safe and unforgettable journey— --- ### **🌄 Motuo Travel Guide—China's Last Roadless Frontier** **Keywords**: Highland rainforest, hiking paradise, border scenery, off-the-beaten-path adventure --- **📅 Best Time to Visit** - **Recommended seasons**: April-June (spring bloom), September-November (clear autumn weather) - **Avoid**: July-August rainy season (frequent mudslides), December-March winter (mountain passes blocked by snow) --- **🚗 Transportation Guide** 1. **How to get there**: - **Starting point**: Usually from **Nyingchi City**, driving takes about 8-10 hours. - **Routes**: ✅ **Zha-Mo Highway** (G559): Crosses the 4,200m Galongla Snow Mountain, dangerous but scenic. ✅ **Pai-Mo Highway** (opened in 2023): Direct route from Pai Town to Motuo, shorter journey but check if open. - **Self-driving tips**: 4WD vehicles only, check road conditions in advance, not recommended for beginners! - **Bus**: Buses from Nyingchi Bus Station to Motuo (about ¥200/person), but limited schedules, book in advance. 2. **Hiking route** (Classic 3-day version): **D1** Pai Town→Songlin Pass→Duoxiongla Pass→Lage (about 18km) **D2** Lage→Hanmi (primitive forest trek, about 22km) **D3** Hanmi→Beibeng→Motuo County Town (border permit required to cross Liberation Bridge) --- **🏞️ Must-Visit Attractions** 1. **Renchinbeng Temple** - Motuo's largest Tibetan Buddhist temple, overlooking mountains and sea of clouds, sacred and peaceful. 2. **Guoguotang Great Bend** - The "serpentine" wonder of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, perfect for drone photography. 3. **Beibeng Township Waterfall Group** - Hidden waterfalls in the tropical rainforest, "Rainbow Waterfall" recommended. 4. **Motuo Museum** - Learn about Menba ethnic culture and Motuo highway construction history, free admission. 5. **Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon** - Hike or drive deep into the world's deepest canyon for an awe-inspiring experience. --- **🏠 Accommodation Recommendations** - **County Town**: ✅ Motuo Saishang Hotel (mid-to-high end, better facilities) ✅ Lotus Inn (good value, Tibetan style) - **During hiking**: Simple guesthouses in Lage and Hanmi (about ¥80-150/bed, bring your own sleeping bag). --- **🍜 Motuo Cuisine** - **Stone Pot Chicken**: Luorang stone pot + local Tibetan chicken + medicinal herbs, a must-try! - **Menba Ethnic Food**: Buckwheat pancakes, chicken claw millet wine, wild vegetable soup (be cautious, some wild vegetables may cause allergies). - **Tips**: Mostly Sichuan restaurants in the county town, prices are high, bring some dry food. --- **⚠️ Important Notes** 1. **Border Permit**: - Apply at your household registration place or in Lhasa before departure, specify "Nyingchi Region, Motuo County." 2. **Altitude Sickness**: - Motuo County Town is only 1,200m above sea level, but you'll cross 4,000m+ snow mountains en route, bring oxygen bottles and rhodiola. 3. **Safety Tips**: - Don't risk entering mountains during rainy season, beware of leeches (wear high-top shoes + gaiters), hiring a guide is recommended for hiking. 4. **Environmental & Cultural Awareness**: - Avoid single-use plastics, don't disturb religious sites, ask permission before photographing locals. --- **🎒 Pre-Trip Packing List** - **Documents**: ID card, border permit, cash (some areas have no signal) - **Clothing**: Waterproof jacket, quick-dry pants, anti-slip hiking shoes, thermal underwear - **Tools**: Trekking poles, headlamp, anti-leech socks, common medications (digestive medicine, band-aids) - **Others**: Offline maps, power banks, sunscreen (extremely strong UV) --- **📝 Suggested Itinerary (5-day version)** **D1** Nyingchi→View Mount Namcha Barwa from Sejila Mountain→Luorang Town (overnight) **D2** Luorang→Zha-Mo Highway→Motuo County Town (overnight) **D3** Guoguotang Great Bend→Renchinbeng Temple→Museum→Menba Village **D4** Motuo→Beibeng Township hiking→Liberation Bridge→Return to county town **D5** Motuo→Bomi/Nyingchi (return journey) --- The beauty of Motuo lies in its utopia nestled within extreme ruggedness. Make thorough preparations before departure, respect nature and culture, and may you encounter the purest Tibet in this lotus paradise! ✨